Tree Caring Inside the former Marine Police Headquarters (1881 Heritage)
 
CA has always put great concern on tree conservation inside the former Marine Police Headquarters (1881 Heritage). Among the trees, a Chinese Banyan (Ficus microcarpa) near the Signal Tower on the platform was put inside the cylindrical tree preservation structure. The tree’s condition has deteriorated since the construction commenced. Recently we paid an inspection visit there and found increasing number of dead branches. As a result, we wrote to 1881 Heritage to urge for remedial actions.
 
Tsim Sha Tsui Hill, where the former Marine Police Headquarters situated, was surrounded by trees in the past. In 2003, Flying Snow Limited, an affiliate of the Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited won the bid for developing the heritage site. Many trees were felled, only 24 were kept. Five out of them are “Very Important Trees” (VITs). Cheung Kong has designed a “conservation plan” for the VITs. The practice of putting the Chinese Banyan inside the huge pot was proposed at that time.
 
Above is the condition of the Chinese Banyan during the construction in 2005. The hill was cut already. Is is believed that some roots were pruned.
 
The construction of 1881 Heritage completed last year. We visited there last June and already saw an increase in dead branches (photo on the left). This May, we still found no obvious improvement in the branches. The crown has shrunk by 60% comparing with that in 2005. We worried that if these problems continue, the tree will die in three to five year. 
 
CA thinks dehydration is the root cause of its deterioration. As the hill had been completely scrapped away, the tree relies on irrigation to obtain moisture. In June 2009 we particularly noticed that a considerable amount of plants were planted under the tree. These excessive plants would compete for the already limited moisture with the tree, and at the same time hinder the infiltration of moisture into the soil. It is therefore necessary to remove the plants under the tree to minimise moisture competition. It is also important for its further growth that there is enough space for the aerial roots to reach the soil.
 
We also discovered that the irrigation work was not done to its full. Within the tree pot, only the outer and top soil was moist. In fact trees do not need frequent irrigation, yet there must be sufficient moisture infiltrating the soil every time we irrigate (at least moisturising 30cm of soil beneath the surface). Adding auto-sprinkler system for the trees on platform is also feasible as it enables more thorough irrigation. Other than that, attention should be paid to drainage of the tree pot to prevent tree suffering from anaerobic soil.
 
Dead branches should be pruned to prevent them from falling off and causing accidents. Frequent monitoring is needed as well. 
 
Most of the time, large-scale constructions like 1881 Heritage change the trees’ growing environment and condition (e.g., water table, wind shelters). Without knowing the impacts brought to the trees and responding with appropriate tree caring arrangement, both the trees and the resources for conserving them will be wasted. CA hopes all the trees within the project area can be well cared for. 
 
Rural Devastation Near Bride’s Pool
 
Located inside the Plover Cove Country Park, the Bride’s Pool is a popular excursion spot that most of us have paid visits to. Unfortunately, tree felling and excavation took place near the pool. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) claimed that they were aware of the constructions and prosecuted the contractor for illegal tree felling on government land and illegal driving inside Country Park, fining $2,500 and $1,000 respectively. However, the construction stills go on. The muddy water flowed out from the construction site has turned the crystal clear stream into milky brown.
 
The incident took place outside the north entrance of Bride’s Pool Nature Trail near Sam Tam Lo. The area being excavated was as large as four basketball courts. It is reported that the site will turn into a park. On the day of our field visit, an excavator was still operating.
 

A muddy branch from the site converged with the clear stream. According to our observation, the muddy water flowed along to the middle course of the river. Luckily, its lower course and the Bride’s Pool waterfall were not yet affected.
 

CA wrote to AFCD and was replied that “the according activity falls within a private land of the district” and they also stated “the land is an Old Scheduled Lot of private farmland under Block Crown Lease. Landowner(s) will not breach the lease conditions by bulldozing and clearing vegetation on the land”. We have also contacted the Environmental Protection Department for following up the water source pollution problem owing to the construction.
 

Referring to the Country Parks and Special Area Regulations (Chapter 208A), digging of soil without written permit granted and pollution of any stream or water course are prohibited. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 3 months. If the offence continues, there can be a daily fine of $100. The fining amount actually lacks deterrent, therefore the constructions still go on. CA thinks that a review on the penalty is needed in order to deter the devastations inside country parks.
 
Over 40% of land in Hong Kong is zoned as Country Parks, but lots of private lands can be found inside the parks when you investigate carefully. The case in Sam Tam Lo near Bride’s Pool is one of the examples. These private lands situate around the ecologically sensitive areas, and some of them might have an ecological, geological and landscape value which is comparable to that of the country parks. To better the status quo, new measures in conservation, planning, land policy and enforcement are a must. Pushing forward the review of New Nature Conservation Policy is thus crucial.
 
 
How much is biodiversity worth?
 
 

Paying US$775 for maintaining per square kilometre of coral reefs as marine protected areas can bring an estimated overall value of ecosystem services between US$100,000 and $600,000

 

In Vietnam, the planning and protection of 12,000 hectares of mangroves in the coastal area has cost around US$1.1 million, but has helped reduce the cost of dyke maintenance by US$7.3 million per year.

 

An additional investment of $45 billion for protected areas could secure nature-based services worth US$ 4.5 to $5.2 trillion a year.

 

According to a study in Southern Thailand, converting mangroves into commercial shrimp farms showed economic returns estimated at US$ 1,220 per hectare per year, but the rehabilitation costs would be US$ 9,318 / hectare when the pond is abandoned after 5 years of exploitation. If the mangroves are conserved for another use, e.g., coastal protection against storms, the benefit would be US$ 10,829 per hectare per year.

 

Reducing the deforestation rate helps fighting climate change. A study shows that halving the deforestation rate by 2030 costs from US$ 17.2 billion to US$ 33 billion per year, while the estimated long-term net benefit of this action in terms of reduced climate change is estimated at US$ 3.7 trillion. Nonetheless, the benefit in front of us is not a must. Delaying the action would reduce its benefit dramatically: waiting 10 more years could reduce the net benefit of halving deforestation by US$ 500 billion.
 
The value of biodiversity can actually be quantified in dollars! Since 2007, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has launched a study called “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB).
 
Please do not regard the study as a comparison of the values between various habitats and species. Through calculating the economic value of biodiversity, the study attempts to trigger reflections by decision makers of the nations on the values of biodiversity, so that they can have relative adjustments on their environmental policies. The Interim Report was finished in May 2008, while the whole study will be published in the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity this October in Nagoya, Japan.
 
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